The effervescence of eSport in Africa

Africa, land of eSport promise

The explosion of mobile telephony and the youth of African demography are key factors in the expansion of the video game industry in Africa. In 2050, half of the world's population will be African and technological equipment is only increasing in proportion. In this massive development, eSports is in second place and could soon occupy the top of the podium. This movement is accompanied by a multiplication of bets on African sport.

Globally, the sector's revenues amount to 950 million dollars. The African continent is at the forefront, thanks to mobile eSports, which enjoys an unprecedented audience. Africa and the Middle East attract 488 million players out of 3.2 billion players worldwide, more than Europe.

Associations supporting major events

On Sunday December 11, 2022, in the cinema hall, the Canal Olympia in Dakar, the “Orange eSport experience” tournament took place, bringing together 400 competitors. We note the presence of the best in the field: the kings of video games, "Doctor Dexx" and Mohamed Salim Sarr, gave their all to their passion. Telecom company Orange has a long-standing association with Senegames, the Senegalese eSports association. Senegames appeared in 2011 and claims 20,000 players in Senegal today.

E-football in the footsteps of its real-world big brother in Africa

While the World Cup was in full swing, in Qatar, Lionel Messi, Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe or Cristiano Ronaldo were also valiant on the virtual fields and the giant screen of Senegalese eSports. Here, two electronic football experts comment on very high-level matches with a very detailed knowledge of its players and its issues. The remarkable performances of the Senegalese national team, which pushed the ball until the round of 16 -in real life-, as well as the glass ceiling of the semi-final, which the Moroccan team pierced, have aroused many passions for this other virtual way of thinking about football.

The game of eleven remains, like its counterpart in the real world, the discipline-queen. But it is closely followed by Mortal Kombat and Street Fighting. Wrestling games, inspired by those popular in the field, are also very popular.

The entire generation of under-twenties, or barely more, in the sub-region, has known the Playstation as a nurturing mother. Among them, burgeoning reputations thrill the crowds at competitions and become the spearheads of eSports, an increasingly popular industry.

New Dynasties of Gaming Princes

The Thiam family is famous for their expertise in the game FIFA. Thus, Adama took the pseudonym Doctor Dexx and collected 5 Senegalese champion titles, when he had just turned 26. Mohamed, the little brother, is only 19 years old, but is illustrated under the nickname of Dexx 77, to snatch 3 titles of African champion!

Being able to afford a console is a privilege, since a PlayStation costs 150,000 CFA francs, or €230, equivalent to 3 times the minimum wage. Doctor Dexx is very proud of the gift his father gave him when he was 11 years old. Just as he expects to soon complete his journey as a future Doctor of Pharmacy. Thanks to gaming, he collects 3 million CFA francs monthly, which is equivalent to €4,500 of pocket money per month, while sponsors are being desired in the emerging eSport in Africa!

Give the rising generation a chance

The best national players come together in "SOLO eSport", the main club in Dakar, present at the IESF world championships. There is an enthusiasm for young people who want to train to become the professional elite of tomorrow.

This start-up structure allows this type of club to pay hopefuls and present them at major international eSport meetings. Thus the one coordinated by the French Institute of Dakar, which fully supports this new discipline and brought together gamers from Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali and, of course, Senegal.

West Africa, soon to be an eSport start-up nation?

Each national federation must really structure itself, on the already solid foundations of gatherings like Senegames. It should be accompanied by a State budget, which would have at heart to train and develop the future engineers of a living embryo of start-ups, ready to challenge other nations at the forefront to establish themselves as an innovative sector. The challenge can be met.